The time it was about RoseBlood

Posted October 24, 2016 by Stacee in Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews | 11 Comments

I think it’s well known that I’m a spoiled brat.  And A.G. Howard helps with that title.  I was able to read RoseBlood right after she finished the manuscript and when it came time for the tour, I was thrilled to be asked to review.

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Before we get to my hot mess of flailing review, let’s check out the book.

22Title: RoseBlood
Author: A.G. Howard
Release Date: January 10, 2017
Pages: 432
Publisher: Amulet Books
Find it: Abrams | Indiebound | B&N | Amazon | TBD | Goodreads
In this modern day spin on Leroux’s gothic tale of unrequited love turned to madness, seventeen-year-old Rune Germain has a mysterious affliction linked to her operatic talent, and a horrifying mistake she’s trying to hide. Hoping creative direction will help her, Rune’s mother sends her to a French arts conservatory for her senior year, located in an opera house rumored to have ties to The Phantom of the Opera.

At RoseBlood, Rune secretly befriends the masked Thorn—an elusive violinist who not only guides her musical transformation through dreams that seem more real than reality itself, but somehow knows who she is behind her own masks. As the two discover an otherworldly connection and a soul-deep romance blossoms, Thorn’s dark agenda comes to light and he’s forced to make a deadly choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or face the wrath of the phantom who has haunted the opera house for a century, and is the only father he’s ever known.

Sounds good, right?

right

**Thanks to my pretty prancy PA AKA Christina from The Book Hookup for letting me steal borrow her review format**

review

Rating and First Reaction:

5 stars. I absolutely loved this book.  I’ve always been a fan of Phantom {I’ve seen it several times in San Diego, LA, and Chicago} and never mind the fact that it was Anita’s words, I didn’t even know I wanted a Phantom retellling until I learned about RoseBlood.

MCs:

Rune: Rune is an interesting character.  She’s got this amazing talent that has made her withdraw a bit.  She’s still grieving for her father and as she learns things about herself, she is constantly second guessing things that happened in the past.  At times, Rune appears to be a fragile and meek kitten, but then she’ll surprise you.

Thorn: Well, I’m not sure how much I want to share about Thorn. He’s a complex character and I loved getting his story in pieces.  And with him being a creation of Anita’s, you know there will be swoons.  There is also a heartbreaking backstory and perhaps some redemption.

The Phantom:  I definitely can’t leave The Phantom out of the list of main characters, but I’m also not going to tell you a thing about him.  If you’ve read the book or seen the play, discard what you know about him.  Anita’s Phantom takes those incarnations and makes something completely unique and hers.  He’s dark and disturbing, but also sweet and charming.

Secondary Characters: There is quite a cast of secondary characters. Some of them are fun, some are not, and some are just plain odd. I’m going to let you find them on your own.

Plot & Pacing:

This is another slow burn and I’m starting to think that Anita thrives on torturing her readers.  There are so many intricate details and layers and twists and each piece is sloooooowly revealed. We get Rune and Thorn POV and I loved being in both of their heads.  It’s maddening and delicious and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Teaser Quote:

“To follow me is to make a pact with darkness and solitude. No more sunlight. No more sky. No more friends or relatives. What I can offer you, in exchange, is a way to reclaim your songs. And I’ll give you an education, training, and protection.” —- taken from page 192 of the arc

Rec It?

Yes, yes, a million times yes. Between the atmospheric setting and the imaginative plot line, RoseBlood will satisfy any reader, even if they don’t know the chandelier’s lot number.

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AG HowardA. G. Howard is the author of the New York Times bestselling Splintered series and is a huge fan of the classic Broadway musical The Phantom of the Opera. As a writer, A. G. is most at home weaving all things magical into everyday settings and scenes.

When she is not writing, A. G. enjoys rollerblading, gardening, and visiting 18th century graveyards or abandoned buildings to appease her muse’s darker side.

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Huge thanks to Rockstar Book Tours for the invite and to Anita for spoiling me rotten. Make sure you’re checking out her website, following her on Twitter, liking her Facebook page, and adding all of her books to your Goodreads TBR.  And if you are looking for an addictive rabbit hole to fall down, I completely endorse going to Anita’s Pinterest page for alllllll sorts of lovely things.

Definitely follow the blog tour for all sorts of special goodies and international giveaways.  Keep scrolling now for a giveaway!

**Good Luck!!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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11 responses to “The time it was about RoseBlood

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